Cesar's name in so long. It soun

It's like he blames Cesar for his own death. Despises him for it. All

on-my only brother-permane

. I try to withdraw my hand from

"The men from Colombia were impressed." He's smil

because I know how irritated he

nyway. "Look at me whe

look of his-it's a deliberate smile.

," I say r

er," he continues. "

own, say

here are plenty of beauties out there. You are pretty e

abs my chin, and turns my face side to

ck a strand of hair from my face.

it. We're getting to the po

in his eyes. There never has been. It's just li

he announces, "for

ulf me with i

ease,

be happenin

ht I ha

fore I can stop them: "Please, P

ver wavers o

s and then swings through the air, making harsh

of knuckle on

lapp

nst the back of the chair. Pain sears th

ardly. Don't you dare

as if nothing had happened. "You sound ungratefu

my stinging cheek, but I resist the

. I should've know

I say, keeping my voice soft. "I know yo

wants to hear. And as sick as it is, that's th

hat he wan

til he'

reat into my room, scream into my pillow

rs the same look anytime he is trying to broker a new deal. "You must do you

is back, the cold sneer that cut

ook up at him. "Yes, P

Now, come with me. I wan

ll clinging tight onto my hand, and just like everything else

urn right, but he turns left instead and goes downstairs. My heart t

two of Papa's guards. One of them o

scream, my voice cuts through the

N

hangs low on his chest. His clothes are ripped, bloodied, and hi

er as hot tears r

hears me at all. He's just groaning softly as blood stre

my father

l detachment. "You see wha

s feel like acid coming out

his newborn daughte

he next time he disobeys one of my orders,

o mine. I nod slo

tinues. "I have turned a blind eye for too long. But you are not a ch

, Pa

s ever a time when I had loved

see now is

oo

e not move any closer to him. I o

to my bedroom. Then I throw myself down

rita

. I open my eyes, but I can barely see. They're st

tache is standing over me, gently s

say sleepily

t was just a ho

ever happe

k and my vi

not M

er seen before. He has a shaved head and several serr

shes as quick

ou?" I ask

. "Your father sent me to wake you. Yo

t in alarm. "Pack

"Your father has a meeting in Los A

y heart beats faster.

on the luggage stand. A Louis Vuitton duffle I've used only once-the time Cesar and I flew to Paris, w

e he would prot